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(12/06/2000) gifts of the Holy Spirit


Hello prayer warriors, 1. Prayer note: gifts of the Holy Spirit As promised, we will start on a new theme on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I understand that not all of us believe in these gifts, but we will study this topic together and let the Holy Spirit teach us about His gifts. [Hebrews 6:1-2] 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Here, we have a description of moving from having the milk of the Word [Hebrews 5:12-14] to taking the strong meat of the Word. And the meat of the Word is described in Hebrews 6:1-2 above. One of them is concerning the doctrine of baptisms. The word baptisms is used because John talked about it. [Luke 3:16] John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: And Jesus fulfilled this when He spoke to His disciples after His resurrection to wait for the promise of the Father in Jerusalem. [Acts 1:4-5] 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Why do we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Jesus said something which I believe provides the reason. [Acts 1:8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. I believe we receive the infilling and the baptism of the Holy Spirit not just so that we can speak in tongues. Many people focus on that and many evangelicals dislike that. Well, the good news is that I believe that you can be baptised in the Holy Spirit and yet not speak in tongues immediately. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is so that we can have power to be witnesses for Him first in Jerusalem (our close friends, family and circle of immediate influence), in Judaea, and in Samaria (our neighbours and our acquantances and yet to people further away). We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit so that we can be powerful witnesses for Him. There are many supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit which comes with being filled with the Holy Spirit. Does that mean that when we are not baptised in the Holy Spirit that we do not have the Holy Spirit? I believe that we receive the Holy Spirit when we first receive Christ [Romans 8:15-16]. Jesus Himself grew in wisdom and stature when he was yet at a very young age. [Luke 2:40] And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. However, the miracles and the power gifts only happened after He was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible mentions many times about being filled with the Holy Spirit in the new testament and many times this refers to baptism of the Holy Ghost. Baptism usually refers to immersion. Baptism of water refers to complete immersion in water and baptism of the Holy Ghost refers to being completely immersed and full of the Holy Ghost. This is what I believe. Jesus was baptised in water and after that the Holy Ghost descended on Him. I believe this was symbolic of baptism of the Holy Spirit. We see the same words "being filled with the Holy Spirit" being used immediately after the Holy Ghost descended upon Him. [Luke 4:1] And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, And then, His ministry really started. We see Jesus moving in very mighty ways in healing the sick, in the working of miracles, in the gift of knowledge and wisdom. These are all part of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which God makes available for us when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not for the sake of speaking in tongues, but for us to be powerful witnesses for Him, empowered to bring the gospel of Christ to the world. 2. New prayer requests: i. Prayer for Annette -- warwick http://mydevotion.com/logos/asp/viewpyrrep.asp?forumid=5&forumtype=2&topicid=1535&table=prayer ii. For Pamela -- warwick http://mydevotion.com/logos/asp/viewpyrrep.asp?forumid=5&forumtype=2&topicid=1536&table=prayer iii. Satanic attacks on Communities -- christiandeb http://mydevotion.com/logos/asp/viewpyrrep.asp?forumid=5&forumtype=2&topicid=1537&table=prayer iv. Please pray for my daughter -- gmles http://mydevotion.com/logos/asp/viewpyrrep.asp?forumid=5&forumtype=2&topicid=1538&table=prayer v. My family -- aschnadelbach http://mydevotion.com/logos/asp/viewpyrrep.asp?forumid=5&forumtype=2&topicid=1540&table=prayer 3. Number of prayer warriors: 569 We welcome christianbeth, bcowann, samjap, childofgod060796, kerry, nmayo, march, ladybeanm and ilovejesus into our prayer group. Three have unsubscribed. in Christ, waihun
Wednesday, December 06, 2000 11:17:06 AM waihun

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